North Africans Show Class At JAC Motors Abeokuta 10km Race, Win Top Prizes

Ethiopian Tadu Redbone Nare braced the tape at 33min 43secs to win the women race of the JAC Motors Abeokuta 10km Race on Saturday

The North Africans maintained their grips as marathon race experts during the maiden JAC Motors Abeokuta 10km Race as they dusted nationals of other African countries to dominate the event held in the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday.

Biwott Kembo from Kenya won the men’s race with Rotich John from Ethiopia and Alemneh Tegene also from Ethiopia winning the second and third position respectively.

Nigerian Emmanuel Gyan was fourth overall, while he won the prize of N1 million as the first Nigeria to cross the finish line.

In the women’s category, Ethiopian Tadu Redbone Nare came first with Kenyans Cheptoeck Careen and Nancy Wangui came second and third respectively.

Fadekemi Olude from Nigeria was fifth overall and won the prize as the first Nigerian women to cross the finish line.

Fadekemi Olude of Nigeria came 5th overall and first local woman to cross the tape at 37 mins 29sec

The prize monies of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 were given to the first three winners in the professional cadres in both the men and women’s category, while the Nigerian winners won the sum of N1 million, N500, 000 and N250, 000 in both the men and women’s race.

The race, which started by 9am was witnessed by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, top government officials, traditional rules in Egbaland, sports administrators and a host of others.

Winners in the physically challenged race displayed their prizes

Governor Abiodun who presented prizes and medals to the elite athletes from the North African nations was glad that an international event was taking place in the state. He noted that the state is very unique in Nigeria in the areas of sports, religious, education, tourism and politics, adding that his administration knows important of sports and will leave nothing to chance to ensure that the state reclaim its lost glory in Nigerian sports.

Initiator of the race, Bukola Olopade of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company said that bringing an international race to his home town is one of the achievements he has in life. He applauded the support the organisers have received from numerous sponsors which identified with the race.

Governor Dapo Abiodun (middle) his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga with the North African winners of the JAC Motors ABeokuta 10km Race